On August 13, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on August 12. This marks the first time that a phone call between North Korea's supreme leader and a foreign head of state has been made public. The disclosure highlights the development of the two countries' relationship into a "blood alliance" following the signing of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" between Russia and North Korea in June of last year.
According to the report, during the call, Kim affirmed, "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea will always remain faithful to the spirit of the treaty between North Korea and Russia, and I firmly assure that we will fully support all measures to be taken by the Russian leadership in the future."
It appears that the call included an exchange of information regarding the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Putin, scheduled to be held in Alaska on August 15. With the U.S.-Russia summit just two days away, there is speculation that President Putin may convey Kim's intentions to President Trump.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated, "President Putin expressed his gratitude to Chairman Kim for the support provided by North Korea, as well as the courage, heroism, and dedication demonstrated by the North Korean military during the liberation of the border region of Kursk, which had been invaded by Ukraine."
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